Mellotronists

In a message dated 11/20/02 4:19:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
j.k.beresford@... writes:


> I don't know why this should happen only with multiple notes. I 
> sometimes get a "bump" sound at the beginning of the odd note 
> and that's crap on the tape. If I clean it just before the heads with 
> IPA it goes away. Is your pad assembly tightened down properly? 
> I'm wondering if it's moving when you engage a full chord.
> 

It's definitely not noise or anything on the tape.  I've recorded the sound 
on MP3s, and using wave editing software you can see the random discharge 
spikes in the audio signal.  Right now I have a theory that it's some kind of 
static discharge taking place along the tapes, between the tape heads and the 
rear drum.  Playing the tapes makes contact between the tape heads and the 
drum, causing the discharge.  Only on bank #1 because there's less tape 
between the two, making discharge easier.  Multiple notes because that 
provides more paths for the discharge to occur.  I'm no electronics expert,  
just trying to fit the symptoms to a possible cause.  Also, it *sounds* like 
a static discharge.  At least one other 'Tron owner has had a similar problem 
with static discharge (on an M400).  However, I'm not sure how to test this 
theory.

I tried removing the cycling plug from the power pack and I still get the 
pops, so it's probably not related to the cycling circuitry at all.

You may have a point about the pad assembly - I did have that off, so it's 
worth checking.  Thanks.

Ken M.